Behind Online Gambling Endorsements: The Accountability of Celebrities from an Islamic Legal Perspective

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital platforms has transformed social media influencers, particularly Instagram celebrities (selebgram), into influential actors in digital marketing. However, this development has also created legal and ethical concerns, especially when influencers are involved in endorsing online gambling platforms. This study aims to analyze the construction of criminal responsibility of selebgram in online gambling endorsement from the perspective of Islamic law. This research employs a normative juridical method with a conceptual and Islamic legal approach, focusing on the principles of maisir, taklif, ta’awun ‘ala al-ithm, sadd al-dzari’ah, maqashid al-syari’ah, and jarimah ta’zir. The findings indicate that selebgram who promote online gambling cannot be regarded merely as commercial advertising actors, but may be held responsible for facilitating and expanding access to an act prohibited under Islamic law. Although they may not directly participate in gambling activities, their endorsement creates persuasion, normalization, and public exposure to maisir, which contradicts the objectives of Islamic law in protecting religion, intellect, wealth, morality, and public welfare. The study further argues that when a selebgram knowingly promotes online gambling and obtains economic benefit from such activity, the elements of responsibility as a legally accountable subject (mukallaf) are fulfilled. Therefore, online gambling endorsement by selebgram can be categorized as a punishable act under ta’zir, as its form is contemporary but its substance clearly contributes to harm (mafsadah) and supports prohibited conduct. This research contributes to the development of Islamic criminal law discourse in responding to digital economic practices and provides a normative basis for strengthening legal and ethical accountability of influencers in the digital era.